For many years, senior citizens had a place to go that provided them with activities and camaraderie - the Herbert Mullins Center on the northeast corner of Pine and First streets in East Biloxi.
The building, located one block north of Beach Boulevard, opened around 1940 as St. Michael's School. The school was later sold to the city of Biloxi and was run by a staff from Harrison County.
"It was a fine senior center. It even won an award," said Mary Cavanaugh of the Harrison County Human Resources and Elderly Services Department.
The center was open Monday through Friday and provided activities such as arts and crafts, needlepoint, watercolor and oil painting, and pool tournaments. The center also had an adult day care, daily check ins by a registered nurse and a social worker. A full-time case worker was at the center each day.
The center was positioned in one of the worst areas hit by Hurricane Katrina, and the storm heavily damaged the building.
"The center is really, truly missed," said Cavanaugh. "It is missed by the people."
Most of the activities that were conducted in the center will resume at the Donal Snyder Sr. Community Center on Pass Road in Biloxi.
- CECILIA DOBBS